EPISODE · Jun 9, 2026 · 6 MIN
The Forgotten Famine of 1769: Bengal Before the British
from The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
What caused the Great Bengal Famine of 1769-70? This episode peels back the layers of a catastrophe that killed millions, focusing on the drought, the East India Company's revenue policies, and the collapse of the grain trade. We look at the role of zamindars, the failed monsoon of 1768, and how Company rule turned a natural disaster into a man-made tragedy. We also examine the aftermath: how the famine reshaped Bengal's economy and set the stage for later colonial exploitation. Specific people include Warren Hastings, Muhammad Reza Khan, and the Jagat Seths. Place names: Murshidabad, Patna, Dacca, and the Bengal countryside. #BengalFamine #EastIndiaCompany #WarrenHastings #Murshidabad #JagatSeth #MughalDecline #BritishRaj #FamineHistory #1769 #Zamindari #BengalHistory #Colonialism #SouthAsia #EconomicHistory #DisasterStudies #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
What caused the Great Bengal Famine of 1769-70? This episode peels back the layers of a catastrophe that killed millions, focusing on the drought, the East India Company's revenue policies, and the collapse of the grain trade. We look at the role of zamindars, the failed monsoon of 1768, and how Company rule turned a natural disaster into a man-made tragedy. We also examine the aftermath: how the famine reshaped Bengal's economy and set the stage for later colonial exploitation. Specific people include Warren Hastings, Muhammad Reza Khan, and the Jagat Seths. Place names: Murshidabad, Patna, Dacca, and the Bengal countryside. #BengalFamine #EastIndiaCompany #WarrenHastings #Murshidabad #JagatSeth #MughalDecline #BritishRaj #FamineHistory #1769 #Zamindari #BengalHistory #Colonialism #SouthAsia #EconomicHistory #DisasterStudies #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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The Forgotten Famine of 1769: Bengal Before the British
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